Saving energy in your kitchen

Every little helps, so as far as you can:

In general, consider doing things by hand rather than with a machine.

Washing

• Use cool water washing powders and low temperature washes.
• If you pre-wash or rinse, use cold water.
• In dry weather, above freezing, prefer to dry things outside on a clothes line or an airer, rather than in a tumble drier. On a breezy day this is happens remarkably quickly.

Fridges and freezers

• Defrost fridges and freezers when there is a build-up of frost.
• Ensure good ventilation to the backs of fridges and freezers.
• Set fridge to 4-5C and set freezer to between -15 and -18C
• Plan ahead to thaw frozen food. Best done in the fridge; worst in the microwave. Somewhat quicker than the fridge is an open bowl or box, and quicker still if this can be carefully floated in any leftover warm water, but do it without wetting the food.
• If your freezer or fridge is not usually full, fill empty space with blocks of polystyrene. This reduces the amount of cold air that you lose whenever you open the door and saves a surprising amount. Keep a range of polystyrene packaging that best suit the way you use space.

Cooking (recipe permitting)

• Use fresh food and buy in smaller quantities more regularly.
• Use microwave in preference to oven.
• An induction hob is more efficient than gas or other electric hobs.
• For the right kinds of meal, a slow cooker is more efficient than an oven or the average hob. And it makes very tasty food!
• Cover pans when cooking
• Don’t cook at a raging boil; cut food into smaller pieces.
• Only heat the amount of water that you need.
• For a single cup of hot (not boiling) water or instant coffee, a microwave is more efficient than a kettle with a minimum fill line. It also makes nicer coffee, in my opinion. For more cups and for tea, a kettle is better.

Washing up

• Use a washing up bowl or a plug. Do NOT wash up under running water.
• Fill the dishwasher and use short cycles.

Here are some further tips for you if you are still with us:-

• Only boil the amount of water that you require.• Reheat or cook from a cold oven rather than waiting for it to warm up.• Pre-wash rinse with cold water. • Use a washing up bowl or a plug do not wash up under running water. A small bowl better than a big one.• Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator.• Consider doing things by hand rather than with a machine.• Fit LED lighting.• Switch off appliances at the wall when not in use.• Use induction hob.• Use microwave in preference to oven where and when possible.• Use fresh food and buy in smaller quantities more regularly.

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